Teachers' Day 2023: Memorable Experiences

Memorable stories of teachers from the Khyaal community.

Maggie Elias
“My name is Magie Elias and I am 83 years old. I was born and raised in Bangalore. I graduated with a master's degree in Sociology and Philosophy from Bangalore University. I also earned a diploma in higher education from IGNOU. I started as a lecturer at Jyoti Nivas College, Bangalore in 1966 and retired in 1999 after 33 years. During this long journey, I have had many eventful experiences.

The main aim of education is to enrich our students and make education exciting for them. Usually our college students achieved good ranks in their B.A. course. In 1982, our college introduced a new vocational course for the students. The course was designed in such a way that the students scored higher marks very easily in that course compared to the ones pursuing B.A. Hence the highest rankers were always the vocational students. This was unfair to the B.A. students. I observed this discrepancy and reported it to the college principal. The principal said that the course was designed by the Bangalore University and therefore it is out of his authority to address the issue. I then took the responsibility to solve the issue. I met with the senior management at Bangalore University and brought the problem to their attention. The management appreciated me for bringing it to their notice and got the marking system rectified. The revised results were announced after a few days. Subsequently, many of my students got their well-deserved ranks in the university. This was as a milestone in the entire ranking system of the university. It was a big win for me as well as my B.A. students! This incident taught me that even a single person’s will to do the righteous deed can bring positive change in the world.”

Shammi Luthra
“I was born and raised in Dehradun. I completed my school and university education there. I have always enjoyed teaching, so I took private tutoring to support my father while I studied. I did M.A. in English literature. I was fortunate to begin my teaching career at my own school, St. Mary's, where I taught for 5 years. I got married in 1977 and moved to Delhi. After having 2 children, 6 years later I enrolled for B. ED. In 1983, I resumed teaching at Modern School, followed by Laxman Public School and 22 years at Mata Jai Kaur School.

Teaching has always been my passion and I have had many rewarding experiences as a teacher. One of the most memorable experience was when I endeavoured to reunite the separated parents of one of my students. I was the class teacher of 1st standard and always waited until all my students had left class after school. One of the students seemed very depressed and cried often. I inquired about him from his grandmother, who had come to meet him. She told me about the separation of his parents. Their broken relationship put a lot of stress on the child. I then decided to talk to them about it. I met both parents separately and tried to understand their problems. I counselled them and encouraged them to work together to help their little son. The families of both parents also helped me along the way. Finally, after 4 months of sincere efforts, the parents got back together. This filled my heart with joy!!! My reward was the smile on my dear student's face...! This experience reminded me that persistence and sincere dedication can help you achieve anything you put your mind to.”

Sailaja Ravindranath
“My name is Sailaja Ravindranath. I completed my initial education and did MCom IN 1979 in Andhra Pradesh. After completing M. Com. I immediately got my first job at Sri Sathya Sai College in Andhra Pradesh where I worked for one year. Then I got married and moved to Mumbai in 1980. In Mumbai, I joined R.A. Podar College, followed by G.N. Khalsa College. After working in these colleges for 2 years, I moved to SIWS NR Swamy College. I pursued the M.Phil. degree in 1989 along with teaching.  In 36 years of my span over there, I was the HOD and later on the Vice Principal. I was a co-opted member of Board of Studies in Commerce by University of Mumbai as well. I received the Best Teacher's Award in 2006 by Lions Club of Prabhadevi.

 In my journey as a teacher, I learned countless life lessons. One of those lessons was when I came to Mumbai from Andhra Pradesh after my marriage. I started working as a professor at Khalsa College, King Circle. I was just 23 years old and newly married. It was my first day and my very first lecture. I was a little nervous. As soon as I introduced myself as ‘Sailaja’, someone in the back row started singing the song “Laila O’ Laila”. I did not react to it at all. I just smiled and said “Good, at-least that way you all will remember my name.' “The whole class fell silent. I began to teach the lesson. After the class, the boy who had sung the song came to me and apologised. We had a very good relationship after that. That student is still in contact with me wishes me on Teachers’ day every year. This incident has been etched in my heart and taught me that our thoughtful response to any negative action can lead to a positive change.”

Dr. Dharma Sharma
”I am Dr. Dharma Sharma, M.A. Phd. In Sanskrit from Delhi. I am a part of the governing council of the Wider Association for Vedic Studies. I am associated with many other similar organisations. I am a guest speaker at many national and international conferences. I have authored a book entitled ‘Philosophy of Narayaniyam‘. I have won many awards for my work in Sanskrit. I taught at Laxmibai College, Delhi University, for 37 years from 1970 to 2007. Teaching is my passion. I never miss an opportunity to give back to society by teaching and guiding underprivileged children.

My journey as a teacher was very enriching, and each day was very memorable. For my students, I was the teacher they could go to. Even when I was just walking down the hallway from one class to another, students would come to me to clarify their doubts. I was passionate about preparing my students for various scholarships and competitive exams. Every year, the Sanskrit Academy awarded the ‘Pratibha Puraskar’ to outstanding students who scored more than 70%. In my class, there were 32 students and 27 of them received this award that year because they scored more than 70% marks. This was one of the most memorable achievements as a teacher because it taught me that hard work and perseverance are the only way to success.”

We are grateful to our dear Khyaal community members for sharing their experiences and these wonderful life lessons.